Value in Independence

I've not written for almost a year. A lot can be said about being absent from social media but one thing I know is that it takes time to reflect, get centered and go forward.

As an entrepreneur, I've been in many situations where I've been asked to do something or work on an existing project only to find that a) it was ill-planned, b) not planned at all, or c) planned by someone who never knew how to execute the plan to begin with. Amazing as it may seem bulled c is all too prevalent in businesses today.

It seems that everyone is trying to reinvent the wheel across media, social outreach, customer acquisition, bringing diversity to their organizations, investing in new tech....you name it. We are in a hailstorm of daily communications about how far behind we are, what we don't know, what we need to watch....and it is ever changing.

I love Sir Richard Branson. Truly, his dedication and laser sharp focus on his business coupled with his enthusiasm for life, for his family and for doing good is contagious. I've not heard him speak but can only imagine that he'd be mesmerizing. Same with Deepak Chopra. A great, centered being, with something simple to say yet it takes time and practice to unwind the mess in our minds to act with grace and kindness and move forward.

While very different, both Richard Branson and Deepak Choopra provide value and know how to execute. They've spent years practicing what they preach and can not only see the future but also guide their lives and companies to execute. If you listen to their very carefully chosen words and take a moment to stop, breath and reflect, you'll find them to be quite the same. Do what you love. Listen more, talk less. Be kind to others. Live life to the fullest. All of these "sayings" are valuable on their own but when coupled with a moment to stop and think and apply to ones life they are more than the sum of their parts.

Value in independence. I've walked on both sides of this road both professionally and personally. Having take a quick trip back into corporate life recently (and back out again) it reaffirmed once again how much I truly value being independent (and thinking outside the box), able to work with people that I actually like, to take on projects that stretch my mind, help me grow and provide value to my clients.

Independence does not just mean in work. Independence can mean just being "you" in whatever way, shape or form that takes be it personal or professional. When you look in the mirror are you seeing someone that is reliant on others for their self worth or a salary that while it pays the bills is draining your emotional and professional being?? How do you execute this every day? What tools, people or support do you need to make this happen?

Focusing on what you love. That's a big statement for sure. Sometimes it's very scary to let go of what you think you should be doing and just do what you know is right for you. Making money is necessary but it's just energy. Providing value first to yourself and then to others and your work is using that energy in a positive fashion. With this in mind, anyone can be more valuable in their lives, their families, their work....and become a focus master to execute their best self.

Value in independence. Providing value. Executing. How do you take these simple statements and apply them to your every day life??

Giving versus just getting value....training your "connections-based" mind

I really don't know many people who have literally done it on their own. Sure there are those who live in the genius category, seemingly able to leap tall buildings in a single bound and do it with ease and alone. But if I were to guess the other 99% of us have relied upon others to help, support and mentor even when we didn't know we had asked for it, needed it or even wanted it.

For this reason, I think that as we move through life and in our careers that we take a real look (e.g., pay attention) at how we can better create a connections-based mind. I call it that because it is a way of thinking all the time not just something that you do when you have to or feel obligated. It's like gratitude - who wants to have someone thank them knowing that they really don't give a hoot? Right, no one.

So how do we create a connections-based mind? Well, like any professional athlete, spiritual guide or leader, we need to practice, practice, practice. Kinda like meditation for connecting. While we do have many products around that help us connect socially like FB, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest and LinkedIN, how do we train our minds to do more conscious listening? How can we pick up on a person's unique attributes and then as we store them (our brain is much bigger and better at this than any social app...at least today) start to make direct connections to those who can use his/her help, service, employment, reference, mentorship, etc?

I started doing this unconsciously many years ago and found that not only did it make me feel good (and stroked the ego a bit too) it also came back to me in spades. I've been spending time with some pretty cool cats as of late who are really practicing doing well by doing good and it's inspired me to make a effort, each day, to make a connection.

So how does it work? Every day, I spend a few moments thinking about what I am grateful for. This puts me "in the mood" to share and also tends to open up my brain a bit - kinda like a CRTL ALT DEL. I reset whatever it is that may be negative and I focus on the positive things that are all around me.

Next I make a game out of connecting. I take a moment after each email (and I get a lot) to think about who else would want to know this person, hear about their idea and what would give someone else energy be it money, happiness, love, motivation, etc. Each week I look back at how many connections I have made and it makes me smile. Not only that, but though this simple practice my in-box constantly amazes me with referrals, new business opportunities, job offers, speaking engagements, etc., etc.

I also ran across a great article in Fortune Magazine that really talks about the 7 Pillars of Connecting With Absolutely Anyone. Loved the article and think that making an effort by using the tools we have and doing a bit of re-tooling of our own brains will bring a multitude of connections, gratitude and "energy" to everyone that you meet.

Happy Connecting!!!

Relationships and value....how would you rate yourself?

In a world where we use media of all kinds to describe our most intimate details and give ourselves and hearty pat on the back for posting our latest achievement or "like'ing" or "sharing" a friend or colleagues post, are we really having and nurturing real relationships?

Yes, everyone is busy and yes, everyone uses media to communicate be it email, social media, and the never ending photo posts and pins....but as interesting and sometimes self serving as it feels (or seems at the moment) in acting or reacting so quickly and so robotically it feels like the value is lost.

I have a friend who has been estranged from his daughter and son for many years and while he now has a consistent phone and Skype conversation with his son, his daughter refuses any communication. Now mind you, there was no criminal act done and in fact he became a father at a very, very young age and wasn't always around. Her shutting him down also meant that her two young daughters were also part of the shutdown too.

Rather than use email or sending them updates via social media, my friend chose the old phone and writing simple notes to the grandkids because he truly values his relationships and deems them special enough to take the time to communicate in this fashion.

After several attempts writing the eldest granddaughter and several months of waiting, he received a very simple but beautiful note from a 9 year old telling him about her best friend, that she likes the color yellow, loves dogs and is a big reader too.

Not only was my friend surprised [he didn't expect a response] it truly made his day. He recognized that by his simple and personal attempt how it made a difference. I am glad to say that he is well on his way to building a better bridge to the future generation.

I am not saying that we all need to go back to writing personal notes but then again if we just stopped sending emails for a day or just quickly responding to every little post or tweet or pin could could it change our life or enhance the life of someone else? I think it could.

On rating myself I'd say out of a possible 10 I am a less than 5 right now in terms of personal communication. I love reading folks like Ted Rubin and his great daily posts about communication, return on relationships, personalizing brand relationships and social media - I think I'd like to try brining this to my personal life too. I think I am worth it and know some people in my life that would appreciate a personal note or call a bit more often.

Honestly how would you rate yourself in terms of your value in relationships? What simple things can you do to change how you relate??

Value in education....how we quantify it seems to be changing....

I read and reposted the article by Steve Tappin, MBA Trap: Campaign To Replace MBAs. In his recent post he talks about how the MBA promises much, but in 95% of cases doesn’t leave you a master of leadership. It’s more of a foundational business degree, and not worth all the hype and prestige. The 5% of cases where the MBA is currently worth doing? Where you have an offer from a Top 10 Business School and are looking for a corporate, consulting or banking career.

He goes on to talk about how to actually overhaul the system, replace the testing and teachers with more real world leaders and ex business men and women who have actual experience rather than academic acumen.

Fundamentally I totally agree with him on all levels. What's more is that I think that there is a value shift and change in how parents are starting to view the value of their children's education and what they want them to achieve - and it's not just an MBA from Harvard.

A school near my home in Chelsea, Avenues: The World School, seems to be promising just that. In their mission statement they promise to GRADUATE STUDENTS who are accomplished in the academic skills one would expect; at ease beyond their borders; truly fluent in a second language; good writers and speakers one and all; confident because they excel in a particular passion; artists no matter their field; practical in the ways of the world; emotionally unafraid and physically fit; humble about their gifts and generous of spirit; trustworthy; aware that their behavior makes a difference in our ecosystem; great leaders when they can be, good followers when they should be; on their way to well-chosen higher education; and, most importantly, architects of lives that transcend the ordinary.

In fact in terms of fluent second language this Fall semester they only have limited openings for their kindergarten classes to take Chinese! Talk about thinking ahead of the curve.

They also commit to PROVIDING THEIR FACULTY and staff members a special place to pursue the science and art of teaching. We want to align the rewards of teaching more closely with the value it brings to society, provide teachers opportunities to deepen their skills and be a place where careers, in and out of the classroom, can flourish.

After reading the Mission Statement frankly I wanted to join up and if I did have children this would be a place that I'd consider, despite the cost which must be very high based on the town cars, drivers and two paparazzi hanging around.

What I found interesting is that both the article by Steve Tappin and the Avenues school talked about value. Value for the money of education and value for the students and society as a whole. I don't think that the kids that graduate from Avenues will pursue an MBA at Harvard but then they may be more effective in global policy, micro finance, health & wellness, the arts & education or green energy - all of which will be as or more valuable than an MBA of any kind.

Value and education - are we changing our tune about what is important and of value?? How do you feel?

How or will you be valued in the future?

A friend of mine, Steven Wolfe, reposted a great link last week about the coming of the Machine Adge that was published in the NY Times. Steven urged everyone to read it and, well, I did. When people I know and value tell me to read something it's because it struck a cord with them and I in turn think it will with me.

The gist of the article is really about people who bring value to businesses in an increasingly technology-centric world. The article states that the winners will be those those who are conscientious and want to learn. Those who use and work with technology. Those who are motivators, coaches and mentors. And those that have a marketing touch.

I liked the part about marketing and the "touch". While it is true that with machines and technology we can do amazing things but capturing the attention of customers with just the right human touch will command an increasing premium especially when we live in such a frenetic and fragmented media world.

Which brings me back to value. All of the above are necessary to move ahead but I think that understanding and capitalizing on your value (whatever that may be) and knowing how to integrate and sell it is also part of a winning strategy.

What employer or client ever said "well no, we really don't want you to bring value when we hire you"? Right: Nobody ever did.

Getting older does have its advantages in finding your value. Learning by trial and error (or by setting yourself on fire a few times) does give you the sense to wear asbestos underwear when required.

Personally I've learned that leading is really hard and exhausting but did find that if I was able to look at all the pieces of a business and then understand how they were integrated, made leading much more fun and I think I was more valuable. Once I understood that this way of "seeing things" made my overall job easier, I was drawn to companies, assignments or and business challenges that needed and could leverage my value. All this from a girl that could't stand puzzles as a kid!

The big question is then how will we all uncover, honestly analyze, grow, change and then really sell through our value in upcoming years? What do you think?

Job references and value

A few years back I was stunned by a call that I received from a good friend, Steve Halland, whom I had worked with in the early 90's.

He told me that he had been really surprised that when he was searching for work as a technology executive that many of the people that he had met and worked with for years wouldn't even take his call or avoided him.

He said that that experience changed his perception about not only looking for work but also how his valued network didn't provide much value at all. He vowed that he would never do that to anyone and would always take the time to talk even if he didn't have a direct referral to give.

As we've changed roles over the years and have gone on to do very different things, I have always tried to keep what Steve said in the forefront of my mind when folks have reached out. Just today I got a call from Ana Luisa Wu. I interviewed her about four years ago and really thought she was a very smart and articulate person with a great background in Hispanic marketing/media including an MBA from Cal Berkeley. While we didn't eventually fill the role, I did keep her in my network.

When she reached out today I tried to provide as much value and advice (and contacts) as I could. I also let her know that I was here in case she wanted to talk again and would be open to helping if I could.

I could tell that even that short 1/2 hour meant a lot to her. That she truly appreciated the advise and contacts. It not only made me feel good (and hopefully increased my good karma) but also I provided real value to someone in need.

Let us all not forget the value that we possess and how by just taking a small bit of our time how much it could mean in the life of someone else.

What is Value?

What is Value? I started talking using the word “value” a few years back. I’d sprinkle it into conversations with clients and potential clients but never really did understand the meaning nor significance of the word.

After selling our company, Todobebe, last year I found myself at a cross roads of sorts. Did I want to stay in the same industry? Did I want to pursue other interests and if so, how would I make a living?

The word value came back into my vocabulary one afternoon in December while meeting with a potential client (Mediavest) in NYC. I’d flown up for what they believed would be a “job” for me but as I went through meeting after meeting (taking notes and asking more questions) I realized that what they needed was someone to come in and assess the situation and see how best to provide value in turning things around.

After this first meeting, I wrote up my notes along with a mind map of the issues and potential areas where I could provide value. I told them that rather than hire me full time that we should date before we got married and they could test me out to see if I really could provide value to the organization and situation.

My two-month gig, (which required me to relocate to NYC in the dead of winter from Miami no less), turned into six months of wonderful work with a great group of people and a wonderful client, Walmart. I worked hard to provide value and leveraged my skill across operations, media, and marketing and just plain people skills to pitch in and take on whatever project or task was necessary. And, I was grateful for the work and equally grateful that I felt valued by the team I worked with and the executives that hired me.

This past weekend many of you saw my post about the volunteer organization NYCares.org and my Sunday of volunteer work feeding 1400 homeless, low income, mentally ill and otherwise marginalized men and women.

As I’ve continued using the word value, I realized that I needed to reach beyond just my work life and extend the word into my personal life as well. I needed to provide value to people who didn’t know me, couldn’t buy my services but were nonetheless equally grateful for the value of a hot meal, a smile, a touch on their shoulder and yes even some LOL moments.

Providing value to me isn’t just a word anymore and it’s not just how I work or what I strive to bring to my clients – it’s now something that I think consciously about daily and try to ensure that I leverage it to its full potential. And, along the way if I am very lucky I may even reach my full potential too.